Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-11
METHODIST MATTERS.

Rev. j. p. Garland, d. d.. presiding
elder OF the district, preached at Centenary
church Sunday at IL A. NJ. The audience
was full for day so inclement, and the
preacher made fine impression.
The same preacher faced fine audience
at Clay.Street church at night.
DR.. Laflerty had an unusual and trying
experience at Clay.Street church Sunday
morning. He went, expecting to hear the
pastor, and accepted seat in the pulpit
Brother Riddick complained Of cold, and
pressed the Doctor to preach for him, but
be declined. The pastor then proceeded
with the services, but just at the point
where the sermon came in the preachers
voice gave out so completely that DR.. Laf
ierty was forced TO take his place or let the
congregation go without the sermon. The
Doctor is ever ready, and in this instance
was not out, except that the place OF thr
text was not i'm his mind. lie turned the
leaves OF the Bible and tried TO remember.
while be felt, as he had seldom felt, the need
OF Cruden's Concordance. At last he found
ana announced the text, whether the one
he was looking for or some other the con.
gregation is not likely to know. But the
sermon fittt the text well, and seemed to
fit the occasion.
The other appointments were filed by
the regular pastors.
Rev. s. 5. Lambeth at Broad Street
church preached at night specially to
Young men. The service was largely at
tended, and the preacher well maintained
his reputation rs an orator OF lirst-class
ability.
At Park-Place church in the morning
the pastor had for his theme "The Flight
OF Time: the text, The Time Is Short"
The discourse abOunded in practical sug.
gestlOns, rich aud chsste sentences, and
pointed illustrations.
At Laure.Street church the pastor
preached morning and night to full con-
grePatlons. Several names were received
for admission into the church. Revival
services " III be conducted every night this
week. The pastor Will be assisted by Rev.
George W. Wray and other ministers. The
audience-roOm OF this church has been
completed and neatly furnished, and sun
day. January 23d, has been fixed upon for
the formal dedication OF the building.
Rev. William +. Edwards, senior pastor
OF Centenary church, is enjoying vacation
in the country.
The Preachers Meeting at Broad.Street
! church yesterday morning was thinly at
tended. There was an informal discussion
OF the extent to which the pulpit should be
used ss an advertising medium. The pub
lie have little idea OF the number OF notices
OF semi-beney enterprises sent b.
preachers with the request, "Please read
the enclosed notice, &c &C." Some OF the
less questionable OF these are read from the
pulpit, but very many take the course OF re-
iected communications. They 90 TO the
waSte-basket. The general expression OF
the preachers was in favor OF carefully ex-
cludng from the purIt all notices except
those OF strictly religious meetings and en-
tCrprises.
BAPTIST NOTES.
On Sunday there was general exchange
OF pulpits among the Baptist pastors OF the
city. It was reported Monday morning
that the exchange was greatly enjoyed, both
by the preachers and people.
Rev. j. II. Holmes had triple funeral
service IN the First Baptist church (cOlored)
en- sunday morning.
Three bodies were at the church at the
sane time.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
At the first PTesby terrain church the pas.
tor Rev. K. z. Kerr, preached sermon OF
marked power and tenderness upon "fhe
Great AtOnement." At the communion
services, following the sermon, Rev. W. L.
Richardson, ID. d.. assisted the pastor, and
six new members were received. At night
Mr.. Kerr delivered a striking and instruc-
tive discourse, his theme being "Ciyiliza'
ton Without Religion" Vivid and i'm
pressi1e pictures were given Of the early
glories OF Athens and Rome; but. alas
they worshippe1 an unknown God, aud
their glory faded away.